Position: Demonstration Teacher

Infant / Toddler / Preschool

The Early Learning Center for Research & Practice at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

100%, 12-month position

The primary purpose of this position is to facilitate the mission of the Early Learning Center (ELC)-to foster scientific understanding of young children's development. The ELC accomplishes this mission through (a) interdisciplinary research, (b) academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students, (c) early education programs for young children, and (d) outreach, advocacy, and public policy. The Demonstration Teacher is an integral part of the teaching and research mission of the ELC, providing direct training, mentoring, and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students in the program, as well as day-to-day supervision of and education programming for children. More information about the ELC is available at elc.utk.edu.

Duties: Complete responsibility (full-day, year round) for the educational experiences that occur in the classroom on two levels: 1) undergraduate and graduate students assigned to the classroom, and 2) infant, toddler, or preschool-aged children enrolled in the classroom. Leadership, direction, training, and operational management of an early childhood laboratory classroom. Supervision of other full-time teachers, along with both paid and practicum students, in order to ensure a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and intellectually challenging learning environment. Multimodal demonstration of specific teaching skills, strategies, and techniques for undergraduate and graduate student interns. Design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of high quality lab environments and experiences.

Presents professional content in multiple venues in support of the teaching and outreach components of the ELC's mission, including presentations in courses, presentations or panels at local, state, regional and national early childhood education conferences, ELC-hosted study tours, and professional publications.

Plans and coordinates family participation events in order to strengthen family connections with the curriculum for children and to foster community in the program amongst all the families. Implements culturally responsive approaches that are inclusive of the children, families, and students in the program. Designs individualized support plans in partnership with families and provides parenting education content and guidance for families.

Qualifications:

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required, Master's preferred; one of the degrees must be in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field. At least 3 years of experience working with young children is required; 3 or more years of experience teaching young children in a group/school setting is preferred.

Skills in teaching, evaluation, and mentoring of students. Skills in supervision, program planning, instructional strategies, and guidance techniques. Skills in design and care of physical environments, routine caregiving, parent relationships, observation, documentation, inclusion planning, and cultural responsivity. Professional level skills in interpersonal communication, written communication, management, ethical conduct, and time management and organizational skills.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications should include: resume; cover letter; transcripts; resume; and contact information for three professional reference

The review of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state's flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society. In all its activities, the university aims to advance the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate society. The university welcomes and honors people of all races, genders, creeds, cultures, and sexual orientations, and values intellectual curiosity, pursuit of knowledge, and academic freedom and integrity. The university intends that its graduates will promote the values and institutions of representative democracy, and be prepared to lead lives of personal integrity and civic responsibility.